Photo-electric chemical apparatus using carbon cluster electrode

Abstract

A photo-electric chemical apparatus comprising an electrolyte, a first electrode having an n-type semiconductor member disposed to be in touch with the electrolyte and a second electrode having a carbon cluster member disposed to be in touch with the electrolyte. The first and second electrodes are short-circuited and irradiated with a light beam to thereby generate oxygen and hydrogen. The first electrode is a laminated member consisting of a light transmitting glass, a transparent conducting layer and an n-type semiconductor layer. The second electrode is a laminated member consisting of a light transmitting glass, a transparent conducting layer and a carbon cluster thin film.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A photo-electric chemical apparatus comprising: an electrolyte;   a first electrode having an n-type semiconductor member disposed to be in touch with said electrolyte, said first electrode being transparent;   a second electrode having a fullerene member disposed to face to said n-type semiconductor member via said electrolyte;   means for electrically interconnecting said first electrode and said second electrode;   means for supporting said electrolyte, said first electrode and said second electrode; and   means for illuminating said first electrode and for illuminating said second electrode through said first electrode and said electrolyte;   wherein said photo-electric chemical apparatus generates hydrogen without application of any bias voltage between said electrodes.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first electrode is a laminated member consisting of a light transmitting glass, a transparent conducting layer and an n-type semiconductor layer and wherein said second electrode is a laminated member consisting of a light transmitting glass, a transparent conducting layer and a fullerene thin film. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a variable bias source adapted to apply a variable bias voltage across said first electrode and said second electrode whereby an amount of oxygen and hydrogen generated by said apparatus can be changed by adjusting said bias voltage. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first electrode is a laminated member consisting of a light transmitting glass, a first transparent conducting layer and an n-type semiconductor layer, wherein said second electrode is a laminated member consisting of a light transmitting glass, a second transparent conducting layers.